A Modern Allegory of Hansel and Gretel

Getting Out On Your Own

Sometimes when we get out on our own we find that things are harder than we thought they were going to be.  The freedom to do what we want doesn't measure up to our expectations.  But for some, the promise of getting what you want whenever you want is too enticing to pass up -- so we go into debt [usually by credit cards].

So we get a little here... and get a little there... and we don't really pay attention to the looming financial burdens that we are facing for our future.  

Eventually the credit card industry has us so indebted to them that there is no escape.  We get so deep into debt that we find it difficult to make a payment.  We end up missing a payment and suddenly our 2% APR credit card becomes 18% APR. 

Because our monthly payments are even higher now, we miss another payment.  This sends our APR rate through the roof to 30 or 40% because we are now a "credit risk."  We find ourselves scrimping and saving just to make the monthly payments on all of our different debt balances.

Luckily we finally figured out that debt was a bad thing and realized that the credit card companies are NOT trying to help us.  We started paying off our debts (using steps like Dave Ramsey's Debt Snowball) and ended up being debt free.


And we lived happily ever after.

Debt: Debunking the Myths (Parts 1-7)

Answer the following questions you watch the videos by Dave Ramsey on the myths about Debt:
Note: Don't print until we complete the "Myths" section.

Myth 1

• Myth: If I ____________ money to a friend or relative, I will be helping them.
• Truth: The relationship will be strained or ________ .

Myth 2

• Myth: By ______________ a loan, I am helping out a friend or relative.
• Truth: The bank requires a cosigner because the person isn't likely to ___________.  Be ready to pay the loan and have your credit damaged.

Myth 3

• Myth: ___________ ____________, rent-to-own, title pawning, and tote-the-note lots are needed _______________ for lower income people to help them get ahead.
• Truth: These are horrible, greedy rip-offs that aren't needed and benefit no one but the owners of these companies.

Myth 4

• Myth: The ___________ and other forms of gambling will make me ____________.
• Truth: The lottery is a _______ on the poor and on the people who can't do math.

Note:  Texas Tech University did a study on the Texas Lottery and found that people without a high school diploma spent an average of _________ a month playing the lottery.  College graduates spent _________ a month on average.  When studies are done on the lottery, it's always the lower-income ZIP codes that generate the highest revenue on sales.

Myth 5:

• Myth: ____________ payments are a way of life and you'll always have one.
• Truth: Staying away from car payments by driving reliable used cars is what the typical ____________ does.  That is how they became millionaires.

Myth 6:

• Myth: ____________ your car is what sophisticated financial people do.  You should always lease things that go down in value.  There are tax advantages.
• Truth: Consumer Reports, Smart Money magazine and a good calculator will tell you that the car _______ is the most ________ way to finance and operate a vehicle.

Myth 7:

• Myth: You can get a good deal on a _____________ car.
• Truth: A new car loses _________ of its value in the first four years.  This is the largest purchase most consumers make that goes down in value.

On average, a $28,000 car will be worth $8,400 in four years.

Myth 8:

• Myth: I'll take out a 30-year mortgage and pay ______________.
• Truth: Life happens and something else will always seem more important.  Never take out more than a _________ year fixed-rate mortgage.

Myth 9:

• Myth: It's wise to take out an ________ or a ___________ mortgage if "I know I'll be moving."
• Truth: You will be moving when they _______________.

The adjustable-rate mortgage is here to keep the _____________ from losing money.  It transfers the ____________ of higher interest rates to you.

Myth 10: 

• Myth: You need a __________  __________ to rent a car or make ____________ online or by phone.
• Truth: A __________ card does all of that.

Myth 11:

• Myth: I pay my __________ _______ off every month with no annual payment or fee.  I get brownie points, air miles and a free hat.
• Truth: When you use cash instead of plastic, you spend ___________ less because spending cash hurts.

According to carddata.com, U.S. consumers racked up an estimated $51 billion worth of fast food on their personal credit and debit cards in 2006, compared to $33.2 billion one year ago.

Myth 12:

• Myth: I'll make sure my ___________ gets a credit card so he or she can learn to be responsible with money.
• Truth: Teens are a huge ___________ of credit card companies today.

As soon as you get to college, you will receive offers from credit card companies.  About 80% of college graduates have credit card debt before they even get a job.

Myth 13:

• Myth: The home equity loan is good for __________ and is a substitute for the emergency fund.
• Truth: You don't go into ____________ for emergencies.

Myth 14:

• Myth: Debt _____________ saves interest and you get a smaller ________________.
• Truth: Debt consolidation is a _______________.

Debt consolidation saves little or no _______________ because you will throw your low interest loans into the deal.
You cannot ____________ your way out of debt!  _____________ payments equal more _________ in debt.

Myth 15:

• Myth: Debt is a _________________.  It should be used to create prosperity.
• Truth: The _______________ is slave to the lender.

When surveyed, the Forbes 400 were asked, "What is the most important key to building wealth?"  _____________ replied that becoming and staying ________ free was the number one key to wealth building.

The Dangers of Debt

This time of year is notorious for the growth of personal debt -- mostly due to purchasing Christmas presents with credit cards.  Today we will be starting Dave Ramsey's video series on the Dangers of Debt.

Before we begin, answer the following questions:

1. In what ways is it easier, safer, or more convenient to use a credit card instead of cash?
2. What kinds of "rewards" do credit card companies offer customers for using their cards?
3. Why is it important to "Build your credit?"
4. Why are teenagers the number one target of credit card companies?

During [or after] the video, answer the following questions:

1. About how many credit card applications does the average college student receive their first year of college?
2. What does "living paycheck to paycheck" mean?  (70% of Americans are doing it)
3. What is a "paradigm shift"?
4. How has the perception of debt changed since the early 1900's?  (Beginning with the 1910 Sears Catalog example)  How do our great grandparents, grandparents, and parents see debt differently?
5. How did credit cards begin in the 1950's?
6. Approximately how many credit card offers went out last year?  (According to this movie from a few years ago)

And something to think about:

pred·a·tor  

/ˈpredətər/

Noun

1. An animal that naturally preys on others.
2. A rapacious, exploitative person or group.

Continue "Maxed Out" Clips & Discussion

Yesterday we watched another piece of the 2006 documentary "Maxed Out" by director James Scurlock.  Scurlock originally set out to make a movie about the crazy spending habits of Americans, but after he started researching the issue and interviewing borrowers, he change his focus to the lending industry and the effects of deregulation.

The Washington Post called this documentary "a matter of life and debt" and sent on to say, "This swift-moving documentary is something all American high school graduates should watch... especially before they head to college and are asked to sign up for credit cards."

The segments we watched this week discussed how the lending industry "sells debt" to companies who go after those who owe them money.  It also covers the tragedy that can happen when people get so deep into debt that they can't see a way out.

In Microsoft Word, answer the following questions (Don't print when finished because we will continue with this tomorrow):

1. What tactics do debt collectors use get people to pay?
2. Why do debt collectors push people so hard?
3. Why do some people resort to pawn shops?
4. Who funds the largest check cashing chain in the U.S.?
5. Do you think lenders are partially responsible for America's debt crisis?  How so?
6. Why does your credit card company want you to be late on your payments?
7. Why do credit card companies want customers who have filed bankruptcy?
8. Why do credit card companies want 18 year old college students?
9. Why don't Senators and Congressmen punish credit card companies for "predatory lending"?
10. Discuss your right to privacy from individuals, corporations, and the Government.

About the Movie:  Answer these on the same page as the previous 10 questions

1. What is your opinion of the movie?  
2. Is it worth showing to students next year?
3. In what ways did the movie change the way in which you look at money?